Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022 Board of Health revisits tobacco sale suspension Atty: State statutes don’t specify license suspensions for fi rst offense By Adam Swift T he ABC Cigar Store on Revere Street got a slight break on its penalty for selling tobacco to a minor in April at last week’s Board of Health meeting. The board recently implemented a new penalty and fi ne structure for businesses that violate the city’s tobacco policies, handing out a $1,000 fi ne and a three-day suspension for a fi rst off ense. But the attorney for ABC CiNeed a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Paul at (617) 387-5457 for details. gar argued that the three-day suspension for a fi rst off ense is not clear in the state statutes. He initially argued that while his client was willing to pay the $1,000 fine, the suspension was unwarranted and unduly aff ected ABC since it is a store that relies almost solely on tobacco sales. “You do have a responsibility to enforce the law, and this provision is serious, and the matter is serious, and we are not taking it lightly,” said Attorney Jarrod Hochman. However, he stated that the state statutes do not specify any license suspensions for a fi rst off ense. “In addition to that, I think there is an equal protection argument that my client makes,” said Hochman. “My client is a tobacconist; that is their sole item for sale. It’s not a convenience store; it’s not a liquor store that sells cigarettes and has other items to sell.” Hochman noted that ABC has been in business for nearly 50 years and is owned by a 90-yearold man. “We will write the check to whoever it needs to be written to and move on, but you are actually closing this business for three days for a fi rst off ense in 49 years, when the [state law] does not require that, so I want you to follow the law.” DJ Wilson, a public health liaison with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, stated that there is a section in the state statute which gives municipalities the ability to suspend a license for a fi rst off ense. “I understand that this [is a] fi rst off ense that has a $1,000 fi ne and … a three-day suspension is obviously a lot,” said Dr. Drew Bunker, chair of the Board of Health. “But we do have to understand the gravity of what did happen, which was a tobacco product was given to a minor, and as a physician … when you introduce tobacco in a kid that young, it can be very detrimental in many ways and can lead to long-term addiction and things of that nature.” Hochman asked if the threeday suspension was voted in as a consecutive three days, and Public Health Director Lauren Buck said it was not. Bunker said the board should look to revise the city’s ordinance to make the days consecutive, but the board did vote to allow ABC to serve its suspension on nonconsecutive days over a 60-day period. ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ Juneteenth Freedom Day Plus 1776 Equals Our America By Sal Giarratani A REVERE SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM FREE MEALS June 27th through August 12th (there will be no service on July 4th and 5th for the holiday). · Beachmont School, rear entrance (breakfast 8am-9am; lunch 11am-1pm) · Revere Beach Pavilion #2 (lunch 11am-1pm) · Sonny Meyers Park on Beach Street, (lunch 11am -1pm) · Paul Revere School, rear entrance, (MONDAY thru THURSDAY, breakfast 8am-9am; lunch 11am-1pm) · Hill School, rear entrance, stadium side (MONDAY thru THURSDAY, breakfast 8am-9am; lunch 11am-1pm) · RHA Rose Recreational Center on Rose Street (lunch 11:30am-1pm) · RHA Adams Court Recreational on Adams Street (lunch 11:30am-1pm) · Ciarlone Park on Newhall Street (lunch 11:30am-1pm) · Louis Pasteur Park on Endicott Street (lunch 11:30am-1pm) · Revere Farmer’s Market on Broadway at American Legion Hall (FRIDAYS only, lunch 121:00pm) · Programs will serve meals Monday thru Friday except where noted. * locations may be subject to close due to inclement weather and/or participation. “This institution is an equal opportunity provider”. s I read the coverage of Revere’s fi rst Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration in the Revere Advocate, I just wanted to say that I attended it with a sense of pride and a positive step for America. Our nation has faced bumps along the way. We continue to learn who we were and who we have become as we continue to grow into an even better nation. There is far too much division and rancor today as some among us seek confrontation. Rage gets pushed, stoking the fl ames of anger. Today, I see far too many wingnuts out there attempting to push us to opposite corners like in a boxing ring. The news media has become despicable as have hateful politicians who seem to enjoy tearing our nation apart at its seams. For me, Juneteenth Freedom For updated info please go to https://www.facebook.com/RPSDini ngServices or https://twitter.com/rpsdining Day is an important date for all of us to remember with pride because it is a date in history that brought the words on the Declaration of Independence to life. Our founders said all men were created equal in 1776 under the law but slaves weren’t freed until 1863 and it wasn’t until 1865 that the news of that Emancipation finally reached the ears of slaves in that outpost called Texas. Also, it has not been forgotten by me that my immigrant grandmothers couldn’t vote until 1920. America started as an ideal but it took long struggles and a civil war to make words on paper a reality. I believe as America prepares for its 247th birthday coming up on July 4, we need to be honest with each other about our past but we should never feel ashamed of who we are – constantly trying to be a more perfect union for all. We are a lot closer today than we were in 1776. Celebrate who we are on July 4 and I will always be thankful for my immigrant grandparents who left behind everything to come to this place called America. Two came from Sicily and the other two from Ireland. They never met each other but they came here with the same dreams for themselves, their children and grandchildren, etc. I am an American and proud of my heritage and I still believe too many don’t understand how lucky they are. God Bless the USA.
9 Publizr Home